The Delhi High Court has temporarily halted the order issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on June 30, 2026, which mandated Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL) to remove the label “Energy Drink” from its product, Campa Energy Drink – Gold Boost. This decision was made on October 6, 2026, by Justice Amit Mahajan.

In addition to staying the primary order, the court also cancelled the follow-up communication from the FSSAI dated July 17, 2026. This communication had instructed the Commissioners of Food Safety across all States and Union Territories to enforce the previous directive against RCPL. The beverage company had approached the High Court to contest both the original order and the subsequent enforcement communication.

The court’s ruling grants temporary relief to RCPL, highlighting that the FSSAI’s directives were issued without a prior show-cause notice, which is a crucial component of procedural fairness. The absence of this notice meant that RCPL was not given an opportunity to defend itself before the imposition of the order.

Details of the Case and Legal Arguments

RCPL’s legal representation argued that the actions taken against the company were inconsistent with principles of natural justice. These principles dictate that any affected party should be afforded a fair chance to present its case prior to adverse decisions being made. The High Court acknowledged this point during its proceedings.

The court also noted that it is never too late for the authority to rectify procedural oversights, as indicated by submissions made during the hearings. This remark raises questions about the regulatory processes involved in issuing such directions.

The case revolves around the classification of beverages labelled as “Energy Drinks,” particularly those containing caffeine. The FSSAI had issued its directive to manufacturers regarding the categorization and description of high-caffeine beverages, which has implications for other products as well.

Implications for the Beverage Industry

The High Court’s decision is notable given that multiple beverage companies have raised similar legal challenges following the FSSAI’s new directives concerning the “Energy Drink” label. The outcome of this case could potentially set a precedent affecting numerous manufacturers within the sector.

RCPL’s legal team, which included Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, along with a collaborative effort from Karanjawala & Co, has expressed a commitment to contest the FSSAI’s actions vigorously. Senior Partner Ruby Singh Ahuja, along with Advocates Ravneet Kaur Malik, Piyush Sharma, Abhyuday Mishra, and Vani Aswal formed a robust representation for the case.

As the legal proceedings unfold, industry stakeholders will be closely monitoring developments, particularly regarding defining terms related to beverages and their subsequent regulatory compliance. The potential for enhanced clarity surrounding the classification of such products underscores the importance of this ongoing legal matter.

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